34 & 35 Weeks

Thursday, January 4 - 34 weeks
You're keeping me on my toes, little one! Last night I was having several contractions - but I don't think these were quite the real deal as they were more up high and not down low or super painful. I probably had about 8-10 over the course of two or three hours. I made sure to sit, take it easy and try to drink more. I didn't notice any overnight while I was sleeping, but I've had a few again this morning. It's been hard to tell, this morning, if it's your positioning or if they're Braxton Hicks, so I'm going to try to stay hydrated today.

Today was supposed to be our first day back with students after winter break, but we're off for a "cold day" because the wind chills are expected to get around -20 degrees today. Anna and I are enjoying another day off together and will be heading to my MFM appointment this afternoon. I'll be sure to tell them about the contractions (or whatever they are) I've been having over the last 12ish hours. I don't think it means you're coming just yet, but it sure is getting me excited for that day! It's exciting to finally be at the point in my pregnancy where delivery (although still considered premature) would result in a tiny, but healthy little baby.

Daddy has been amazing and working on your room a lot lately! All that's left is hanging your new blinds, painting the baseboards, finishing your rocking chair and assembling the crib! Then I can organize, wash and put things away!!! Your room is so cute! I love walking past it because it is finally starting to look like a little boy's room. I love the colors so far and I can't wait until everything is finally together.

Update after appointment: Our appointment went well today. You are head down and booty up, and look completely squished. You were moving well, practicing your breathing and still have a good amount of fluid.

Your big toe is in your eye! About a minute before this, your big toe was in the other eye. 

I asked the tech if I could speak to the doctor before I left because I wanted to talk about the contractions from last night. She didn't seem too concerned and said it's to be expected at this point in pregnancy, especially because it's my second pregnancy. She said I'm likely going to feel them more and as long as I don't have them regularly for an hour, I should be good to go. She offered to check my cervix and told me that it's still closed, it's starting to thin out and it's still intact, so nothing to worry about there. As always, if things change, she told me not to hesitate to come in, but there was no cause for concern today.

Sunday, January 7 - 34w, 3d
We had a nice visit with Chris and Sammi this weekend before all of the school and Masters craziness sets in next week. After they left, Daddy assembled your crib and I did two loads of your laundry!! I have been dying to get things out of your closet and organized, and today I was able to make a dent in that - it was so nice! Anna and I also assembled your pack n play, so that's in the living room ready to go. All of your newborn clothes are washed and put away (although I'm sure I'll rearrange them a million times before you're here). Your crib has a nice new, clean sheet, your cranky blankie and two little sock monkey stuffed animals in it. Daddy still needs to put one more coat of sealer (maybe?) on your dresser, so that's not 100% ready yet, but it looks really good! Your rocking chair needs a cushion and we have some things to hang on the wall. Your room finally looks like a baby room and I'm so excited.  We also need to install your car seat in the car and I'd like to pack our hospital bags soon - hopefully this week.
It's still extremely surreal that you'll be here so soon. It's exciting to think about, to see your stuff out and to organize all of your clothes, but I still don't think the reality of it has hit me completely. It's like it's too good to be true that you'll be a part of our family within the next month.

Saturday, January 13 - 35w, 2d
We're just about a month away from your due date and things are finally starting to get ready around the house! Daddy finished the last coat of sealer on your dresser today. We bought some 3M things to hang up the map in your room. I packed your diaper bag for the hospital and started packing my own bag. I'm hoping I can convince Daddy to install your car seat in my car tomorrow. I also purchased a second base for Daddy's car today, should be here by Tuesday. Now if only we can settle on a name for you!!

Monday, January 15 - 35w, 4d
ONE MONTH away from your due date!
I was supposed to have a non-stress test on the labor & delivery floor this afternoon, but decided to cancel it due to the snow, wind and cold temperatures. I really didn't want to drive in that, especially having to bring Anna along. I figured since Brother's moving really well and I haven't had any issues, skipping one NST wouldn't be a big deal. The lady on the phone from the hospital was really nice about it and understanding. While I was on the phone, I decided I better pre-register at the hospital for birth. This should cut down on the paperwork and information I have to give whenever we do finally go to the hospital when I'm in labor.
Daddy also hung a couple things in your room today and finished your dresser. Now I can put your clothes where I want them and start pulling more stuff out of your closet. Your hospital bag is packed and mine is in progress. All that's really left is installing the car seat. :)

Pros & Cons of Pregnancy - 3rd Trimester

I created a pros/cons list for my first two trimesters of pregnancy to help me remember my pregnancy - to read it, please click here. Here's my list for the last trimester.

Pros

• Your movements are hysterical! Since you're getting bigger, you're doing more body rolls and stretches which morph my belly into very funny and unusual shapes!
• No swelling, heart burn, or extreme fatigue.
• I still have enough energy to go walking almost everyday for 30-45 minutes. This also gives me something to look forward to each day.
• Weekly doctor appointments also give me something to look forward to each week. I love seeing you on the ultrasound each week and see how much you're growing and how squished you really are!
• Sleep! Thankfully I've still been able to sleep well each night! As I get further along, it's getting increasingly uncomfortable to stay on one side for a long period of time and to roll over, but luckily I'm able to fall back asleep quickly after the process of rolling or having to pee a couple times a night.
• Lung function: Despite my awful weekend over 4th of July (see below), at 36 weeks, my FEV1 was 83%!! That's back to my pre-pregnancy baseline lung function! Thank you Cayston & thank you, Baby Girl, for giving Mommy's lungs some relief.
• Nesting: I've been nesting basically since I stopped working at the end of May, but due to that, I've been way on top of things. The floors are vacuumed several times a week, everything is ready in your room (except your crib because Daddy's been working outside), hospital bags are packed & ready to go, your car seat bases have been in both vehicles since 35 weeks...there's not much left for me to do. :)

Cons

• It's going by so slow and I'm bored out of my mind!! It's so hard sitting around all summer just waiting for you. I know I shouldn't complain because I've had a ton of time to prepare for you, but I am so anxious to finally have you here, that by 33 weeks, there wasn't much left to do!
• Bathroom & gas issues. This started towards the end of my second trimester and hasn't really gone away. I added one extra enzyme every time I eat, which helped for about a week... I guess it's just something I'll have to deal with until you're finally out. I'm guessing it has to do with how much room you're taking up and how you're probably squishing my intestines and pancreas.
• Discomfort & Exhaustion - over 4th of July weekend (34 weeks) I went through a fever, headache, shortness of breath, and chest soreness & tightness. It felt like I was hit by a truck that weekend, especially because it came out of nowhere and came on so fast. Thankfully with a few doses of Tylenol and lots of rest, it slowly went away over the next week, but that's what happens when you're carrying an almost 5lb baby around all the time apparently.
• Weight loss: Due to the bathroom issues described above, I've actually lost around 3-4 pounds this trimester. Thankfully you're still growing well, but I worry what my weight is going to be after delivery.

35 Weeks

Friday, July 11 - 35 weeks
Today, Rhonda and I met at school to set up my classroom furniture. We made a lot of progress, but I'll have to go back at least once more before the school year starts. I also met with my sub to start figuring out everything for the beginning of the year. Thankfully she told me that my maternity leave time is my time to relax with you, and that she wants to do as much as she can on her own while she's in my room...yay! I'm glad she's willing to jump right in this year.


Monday, July 14 - 35w, 3d
Developmentally, this week you're about 'ready'. Your kidneys are fully developed and your liver can now start to process waste. Your hearing is fully developed (although you'll respond best to high pitch sounds right now), your circulatory and musculoskeletal systems are complete and your lungs are still maturing a bit - the longer you stay in there, the better it is for your lungs. Since most of your developing is complete, you're main job is to keep gaining weight so that you're able to regulate your body temperature here in the outside world.

Today one of my coworkers bought a book shelf that Daddy made, so that freed up some space in the living room. As soon as her and her husband left, I pulled your pack n play into the living room, added the changing pad attachment and stocked it with a few diapers and wipes. Now your room is a bit less cluttered. :) I'm trying to wait on packing my hospital bag until after my appointment on Thursday, just to see what they say. Being a day shy of 36 weeks then, I'm curious if they're going to check my cervix yet. I'll most likely pack the bag Thursday after the appointment because we're going to be out of town the next two weekends, so I'm going to try to convince Daddy that I'm not crazy for wanting to bring our bag and your car seat....just in case. It wouldn't do us any good to just have your base in the car.


Thursday, July 17 - 35w, 6 d
Just got home from my appointment today and it went well. They did not check my cervix and said they don't think I'll be going into labor any time soon because I haven't shown any signs and haven't had any contractions. I'll be bringing all of your stuff with this weekend, anyway, but I'm thinking we probably won't need it.
They did the Group B strep test which was just a quick swab down below. If I test positive (which one in four women do), then they'll give me antibiotics through my IV during labor & delivery so that you don't catch it. If they didn't treat me for it, you could catch it and end up with meningitis or pneumonia which could be very dangerous on your new little body.
You did great for your ultrasound today, the tech said you were being "very cooperative". We saw you do lots of movements, you practiced your breathing and I still have a good amount of fluid, so I didn't have to do a non-stress test. Your heart rate was 171bpm and my weight was 127.8lbs. I asked the doctor if they were concerned at all because I haven't gained any weight pretty much my entire third trimester and he said, "I don't care. As long as the baby is growing, that's all that matters." I was very glad to hear that. Now we'll see what Dr. Dowell says about it tomorrow from the CF side of things...
I'll be seeing her tomorrow, I'm assuming for the last time before I have you and I'm curious to see what my PFTs look like. Coming off of Tobi I didn't feel so hot, but now that I've been on Cayston for a week, they're feeling a little better. Even with you being head way down now, I never really felt that "dropping relief" the some pregnant women get, but that's okay because I know you'll be out soon and then my lungs will have much more room to expand again.

33 Weeks

Saturday, June 28 - 33w, 1d
Daddy and I (mostly Daddy) have been working machines today! I feel like I've been nesting for a while now, pretty much since finishing school a month ago, but I feel like its kicked into high-gear now! My friend introduced me to a group on Facebook where I can buy & sell items with local people...oh man, I want to sell everything in the house! So far I've sold our extra range, recliner (yay, its finally out of your room!), a couple books and other odds and ends laying around the house. I also bought a super cute bouncy seat for you and a couple adorable outfits & a dress from a garage sale that was posted on the group. As soon as some of our bigger stuff sells, Daddy says I should probably get off of it so I don't go crazy...I'd have to agree with him!
We also bought new vinyl flooring for a portion of the basement today, so right now Daddy's working on organizing it and clearing the room so he can put it down eventually. I started helping him, but it's mostly his tools and stuff, so there wasn't too much I could do.
Oh, and how could I forget...Daddy finished painting the front of the house today & it looks amazing!!! No more blue!!! He still wants to add shutters, paint the gutters, add a window and paint the little bit of blue left on the side of the house, but man...what a difference!! The neighbors across the street even thanked us because they were tired of looking at it! :-)

This is when he first started this morning

The top picture is from last July when we first bought the house and
the bottom picture is from today!
We didn't remove the section on the left in the top picture, it's just a different angle.

Monday, June 30 - 33w, 3d
Yesterday, Daddy and I ran a few errands and it was the first time I was uncomfortable in public. My legs were hurting after walking around for a while, it felt like you were going to bust out of my belly and I ended up getting irritable. Today, I'm feeling much better - no leg pain, no belly pain, etc. I'm just glad it went away and very glad that I don't feel that way on a daily basis.

We had your next doctor appointment today and you're finally head down! (Maybe that's why I was so uncomfortable yesterday) Now we'll see if you stay that way....although the doctor said usually babies stay head down once they get there...we'll see about you. Daddy and I wouldn't be surprised with as much as you move. Speaking of movements, you've been going crazy this past week! You are getting so big that I can feel so many more of your movements and we can also see most of them which is very entertaining! You love to throw your body weight around in my belly and sometimes those huge movements feel so weird! Of course you move constantly at home, but as soon as we're doing an ultrasound, you stop. Today it didn't take you as long to show them some of your moves. You also showed off your practice-breathing skills, you were grabbing your feet, moving your mouth, and they showed Daddy your hair. Your heart rate was 163bpm today and they were pleased with that. My weight was 130.0lbs and my blood pressure was "perfect". My blood sugars were a bit high last week, so I paid better attention to what I was eating this week and they were back to normal. Yay!
After our appointment, we went to tour the Birth Center which was really nice. We were able to see a birthing room, a post partum room, the nursery, and just get familiar with where we'll have to go whenever the time comes. It helped put me at easy since I like to know where to go ahead of time, and I'm very glad that Daddy came with, too.

Thursday, July 3 - 33w, 6d
Not too much else to add to this week. I, thankfully, haven't felt as uncomfortable as I did the other day again, so that's been nice, although you're getting huge and definitely running out of room! Now that I know you're head down, it's a little easier to distinguish which body parts I'm feeling when you move around.
We're heading out of town to spend the weekend with Elise and Kyle & the boys, and Linda & Roger and I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait for next summer when we're able to do all of this fun stuff with you, too. We only have a limited number of weekends before you're arrival and it's starting to feel more real as the countdown gets closer and closer! :-)

29 Weeks

Friday, May 30 - 29 weeks
I know I mentioned this a little bit in last week's post, but the ligament pain continues and for the first time, I can say that I'm uncomfortable. I have to be much slower and more careful about my movements, especially when getting up after sitting or laying for a while. It's not very fun, especially when I haven't felt pregnant at all until now. I honestly cannot complain because I'm still feeling well lung-wise, and Tim and I were able to go on a nice long walk last night, but I was exhausted today. Summer break came at the absolute perfect time. I decided today, that I'm going to take advantage of my free time by reading and taking naps whenever I feel like it. I also plan on doing at least one productive thing a day - today it was two loads of laundry and assemble the Pack 'n Play so the cats can get used to it.

They loved it, of course. I'm hoping the new-ness will eventually
wear off and they won't be so interested in it when Baby Girl arrives.

I think, last night, I experienced my first couple Braxton Hicks, but I'm not 100% sure. I wasn't in pain, but a couple times I felt my belly tighten for no more than a minute, and then everything was back to normal. Of course I spent the night and this morning over-analyzing it all and worrying that Little Miss is going to come super early, or that I'm going to be on bed-rest for the rest of my pregnancy, but I talked myself out of it and realized this is completely normal to be feeling this way in the third trimester. The doctor assured me that as long as I'm not feeling extra pain/pressure and the baby's movements don't change, it's totally normal and just my body's way of preparing for labor -- weird to start thinking about that! Again, summer break is here and I am going to relax as much as I can, so I really don't know what I was freaking out about....crazy hormones!


Sunday, June 1 - 29w, 2d
It's already June which means we have just over two months until you're arrival! I noticed today that I'm in complete nesting mode...but there's not a whole lot I can do until we have more of your stuff. Good thing your showers are the next two weekends which I'm so excited about!
Today while Daddy & I were at Menards, we bought some little corner shelves for your closet. Of course, as soon as we got home I wanted Daddy to put them in, and thankfully it started raining, so instead of working outside, he did!

Here's the shelves after they were first put in - with Daddy's tools & things all over the closet floor.

Here's what it looks like now after I pulled all of Daddy's stuff out (which is now in a pile in the middle of your room)
and put your stuff in there. Doesn't look like it from here, but there's lots of space inside the door to
the right where some of your clothes are already hanging, too. :-) 

*Side note -- I haven't noticed anymore Braxton Hicks since yesterday morning, yay.


Wednesday, June 4 - 29w, 5d
This week is going by so slowly because I'm anxiously waiting for my upcoming CF appt, our first family baby shower, another family party and the first of my weekly ultrasounds & NSTs coming up. So to pass the time over the past couple of days I've done some more work in my classroom, made a few trips to Hobby Lobby and done some crafts for your room. As you'll learn, Mommy is not the crafty/creative parent, but I'm pretty proud of what I've made the past couple days and I cannot wait to see it all come together in your room!

Every once in a while, I'm still having some aches and pains, but nothing unbearable (oh, and the lovely leg cramps came back a couple overnights this week, yay). I think I've had a few more Braxton Hicks over the last couple days, but they're not very strong or noticeable. Plus, sometimes I can't tell if my belly is contracting, or you're just moving in a weird position. I'm not too worried about it. You've still been moving like crazy and every now and then your moves are so big & forceful, you catch me off guard! :) You've also had the hiccups quite a bit lately, but I can only feel them if my hand is on my belly. They haven't been strong enough to jiggle my whole belly...yet. Oh, and my lovely symptom of increased gas and bloating is back...yipee.